Means for automatically controlling a sequence of mechanical operations through the medium of adjustable striking pieces



Oct. 12, 1937. A. c. WICKMAN 2,095,582 MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A SEQUENCE OF MECHANICAL OPERATIONS THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ADJUSTABLE STRIKING PIECES Filed June 16, 1936 ll Sheets-Sheet l Fig.1

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Oct. 12, 1937. A c. WICKMAN MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A SEQUENCE OF MECHANICAL OPERATIONS THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ADJUSTABLE STRIKING PIECES r Filed June 16, 1936 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 MCA mym Oct. 12, 1937. c, w c 2,095,582 MEA S FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A SEQUENCE OF MECHANICAL OPERATIONS THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ADJUSTABLE STRIKING PIEOEs Flled June 16, 1956 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.15 jaw Oct. 12, 1937.

A. c. WICKMAN 2,095,582 MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A SEQUENCE OF MECHANICAL OPERATIONS THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ADJUSTABLE STRIKING PIECES Flled June 16, 1956 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.5

Oct. 12, 1937. c, WICKMAN 2,095,582 MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A SEQUENCE OF MECHANICAL OPERATIONS THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ADJUSTABLE STBIKING PIECES Filed June 16, 1956 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 L M L L Fig.7

Oct. 12, 1937. A. c. W ICKM 2,095,582

LING A MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROL SEQUE OF MECHANICAL OPERATIONS THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ADJ ABLE STRIKING PIECES f Filed June 1936 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 Fig.8

Oct. 12, 1937. A. c. WICKMAN MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A SEQUENCE OF MECHANICAL OPERATIONS THROUGH THE MEDIUM 0F ADJUSTABLE STRIKING PIECES ll Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 16 1956 Oct. 12, 1937. A, c. WICKMAN 2,095,582 MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A SEQUENCE OF MECHANICAL OPERATIONS THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ADJUSTABLE STRIKING PIECES Filed June 16, 1936 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 T h. WA 7/ fi/% 4 1/ MW 3 m W 158 wb w? &m ww m L m L A A Get. 12, 1937.

WICKMAN MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A SEQUENCE OF MECHANICAL OPERATIONS THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ADJUSTABLE STRIKING PIECES ll Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed June 16, 1936 Fig.12

Oct. 12, 1937.

A. C. WICKMAN MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A SEQUENCE OF MECHANICAL THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ADJUSTABLE STRIKING PIEC Filed June 16, 1936 Due Oct. 12, 1937.

A. c. WICKMAN 2,095,582 MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A SEQUENCE OF MECHANICAL OPERATIONS THROUGH THE MEDIUM 0F ADJUSTABLE STRIKING PIECES Filed June 16, 1936 ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Fig.16

Patented Get. 12, 1937 iTE STATES PATENT ERATEONS THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF AEJUSTABLE STRIKING PIECES Axel Charles Wickman, Coventry, England Application June 16, 1936, Serial No. 85,574

In Great Britain June 22, 1935 19 Claims.

In various forms of machine tools designed to carry out a sequence or cycle of operations on a work piece, provision is made for varying the Speeds at which the difierentoperations are performed. For example, in a turret lathe, designed length and diameter, the operation would involve turning of the exterior of the bar, boring, end facing and. cutting-off, and to carry out these operations under the most advantageous conditions, it is necessary at the different stages to vary the rate of rotation of the work piece, and/ or the rate at which the cutting tools are moved relatively to the work piece. To enable this condition to be satisfied it is usual to provide the machine with a variable speed driving mechanism. This may 3e controlled mechanically by a plurality of hand levers. Or it may be con trolled electrically or hydraulically through the medium of a plurality of hand operated switches or valves.

When about to produce a number of similar Work pieces the operator is given instructions as to the speeds or combinations of speeds to be used in each stage of the sequence or cycle of operations, and it is his duty to follow these instructions in carrying out each cycle. The repeated performance of the cycle on successive work pieces imposes, however, on the operator not only the necessity for repeated actuation of the controlling members (levers, switches or valves) but also the actuation of these members in the proper order, and it not infrequently happens that through incompetence or fatigue (es peoially when a complex cycle has to be followed) mistakes are made or the machine is not operated to the best advantage.

the machine to be controlled, or in any other appropriate position.

Briefly the invention relates to those types of metal cutting and like machines in which it is normally necessary for the operator in each cycle of operations to actuate a plurality of changespeed or other levers in a particular sequence, and the invention comprises the combination of a movable hand operated member to which a succession of similar intermittent movements can be given by the operator independently of any normal motion of the machine itself, and striking pieces adjustably mounted on the said member, the striking pieces being adapted to control the operation of the machine.

In particular the invention comprises the combination of a movable member, striking pieces adiustably mounted on the said member, a hand lever, and a ratchet mechanism for imparting movement to the said member from the lever.

The invention also comprises the combinations and arrangemens of parts hereinafter described.

Referring tothe accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings:-

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing diagrammatically one form of mechanism for carrying the invention into effect.

Figure 2 is a part sectional plan of this mechanism.

Figure 3 is a part sectional plan of the drum used in the said mechanism and its associated parts, and Figure 4 is a front elevation of a rotary index plate forming a part of the said mechanism.

Figures 5-8 illustrate diagrammatically another form of mechanism embodying the invention,

Figure 5 being a sectional side elevation, Figure 6 a sectional plan, Figure 7 a sectional front elevation and Figure 8 a front elevation.

Figures 9-15 illustrate another form of mechanism embodying the invention.

Figure 9 is a front elevation, Figure 10 is a sectional plan on the line iii, it, Figure 11 is a sectional plan on the line II, II (Figure 9).

Figure 12 is a cross section on the line l2, l2, and

Figure 13 is a cross section on the line l3, [3 (Figure 11).

Figures 14 and 15 are views illustrating certain details of the mechanism.

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a still further form of mechanism embodying the invention.

Referring to Figures 1-4, I employ a vertical rotary drum (1 having longitudinal slots 12 formed around its periphery. This drum is rotatable in a step-by-step manner by hand through the medium of a hand lever c carrying" a pawl d which engages a ratchet wheel e, the latter being secured to a spindle j which carries and rotates the drum (1. The spindle is supported at its opposite ends in fixed bearings g, h.

In each slot 2) is 'slidably mounted a striking piece 2' which serves when the drum is rotated by the hand lever c to actuate a lever, valve, electric switch or other device for effecting the desired changes of speed or other condition in the machine which is under the control of the drum. In this example, the striking pieces are shown as adapted to actuate the stems 82 of valves which control fluid operated means for controlling the speed changes, the valves being contained in a chest 19. These valves may be similar to those shown in Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13. Also there is mounted in the base of each slot b a ratchet bar It for holding the striking piece 2' in any of a number of different positions in the slot 17, and each striking piece is fitted with a retaining pawl I which in one direction of movement of the striking piece along the slot can slide idly over the ratchet bar lo. Each bar is is pivotally attached at its upper end to a disc m which is slidable on the spindle f, and is supported on springs n situated between the disc and the upper end of the drum a. Within the upper end of the spindle (which is hollow) is arranged a spindle 0- provided at its outer end with a knob p. A pin q inserted laterally through the spindle o and engaging the disc m serves to move the latter downwards against the action of the springs n when the spindle o is depressed by the application of pressure by hand to the knob p. Each ratchet bar It is also tapered in the direction of its length and is supported on an inclined surface at the base of the slot b in the drum. Further the lower ends of all the bars 70 are embraced by a spring ring r. A similar spring ring s may also be provided at the upper ends of the bars k. When the bars k are moved downwards relatively to the drum a the spring rings 1" and s cause the bars k to move radially inwards and release the pawls Z on the striking pieces 1' and so allow the latter to fall by gravity to their lowest or zero positions at the bottom of the drum.

The various striking pieces 2' may be raised to the desired positions on the drum (for actuating the appropriate valve stems 82) by the direct application of the users finger to projections t on the finger striking pieces, the latter being held in the positions to which they are raised by the engagement of the pawls I with the ratchet bars 70. Subsequent intermittent rotation of the drum a by the hand lever 0 causes each striking piece to effect in the proper sequence the desired actuation of the members above referred to (e. g. the valve stems 82) which control the machine. Accidental movement of the drum is prevented by a detent 2 which engages a recess in the ratchet e under the action of a spring 3. When it is required to alter the setting of the striking pieces to suit some other desired sequence of speed changes, the said pieces are caused to return totheir initial positions by manipulation of the knob 70, and are afterwards again raised by hand to their new positions.

To enable the user to check the positionsto which the striking pieces have been raised, I may combine with each an indicator. In the form shown, this comprises a flexible band it bearing numerals or other signs on its outer face-which are visible individually through windows 1) in the upper bearing g. At one end each band it is attached to a striking piece, and at the other end to a counterweight w which can rise and fall in a hole :0 in the drum, each band being carried by a rotatable pulley 11 mounted on a bracket a secured to the spindle j.

Preferably, instead of raising the striking pieces i by the direct application to each of a hand movement, I mount in a stationary bearing 4 alongside the drum a a slidable rod 5 provided with a lateral projection 6 for engaging the pro- J'ections t on the striking pieces. The rod 5 is "provided at its upper end with a rack i which is engaged by a pinion 8 attached by a spindle 9 to a rotary disc ill, and the latter is formed with a number of holes H for engagement by the users finger. Numerals or other signs on a fixed plate I2 behind the disc Ii] serve to indicate to the user the amount of angular movement required to be given to the disc ii) for raising the individual striking pieces to the desired positions. In setting-up the striking pieces, the user imparts intermittent rotations to the drum a by means of the hand lever c for the purpose of bringing each striking piece i into engagement with the projection E5 on the rod 5, and after each movement of the hand lever 0, he rotates the disc ID for imparting the desired lifting movement to the striking piece. In Figure l the rod 5 is shown near its upper position after having raised one of the striking pieces. When released by the user, the rod 5 would fall back to its original position under the action of gravity.

In the modification shown in Figures 5-8, I employ a rotary disc l3, instead of the above d striking pieces.

slot M are formed or secured a pair of serrated bars Hi. The striking pieces 16 are arranged to engage these bars l5, and are held in engagement with them b springs i! acting on stems l8 secured to the striking pieces. The said springs and stems are contained in hollow slidable pieces 59 which can slide in the slots l4, each of the said parts 59 having a striking piece 16 slidably mounted on its inner end as will be clearly seen in Figure 6. The disc I3 is formed on or secured to a hollow central spindle 20 which carries the hand operating lever c. The latter can impart intermittent rotational movements to the disc through a pawl 2! and ratchet 22. Accidental movement of the disc is prevented by a detent 23 engaging any one of a number of recesses in the disc under the action of a spring 24.

The hollow spindle 26 is supported in a bearing 25 in a stationary case 26, the front of which is formed with radial slots 21 through which the parts l9 carrying the striking pieces l6 are visible to the user.

The various levers, valves, switches or other like parts to be actuated by the striking pieces are accommodated in any convenient part of the case 26. In the example illustrated the striking pieces are adapted to actuate the stems 82 (Figure 7) of valves which control fluid operated means for controlling the speed changes, the valves being contained in a chest #9, as in the arrangement shown in Figures 1-4. In the upper part of the case 26 are located parts of the mechanism used in the setting-up of the striking pieces. In this example, the striking pieces are arranged in two groups. Some of them be returned by a plunger are situated near the centre of the disc and others near the periphery as shown in Figure 5, and the striking pieces in the different groups are operated by different mechanisms. For actuating the striking pieces situated near the centre of the disc (like the lower one in Figure 5), I employ a rod 28 slidable in a tubular stationary guide 29. This rod is provided with a lateral pro-- jection 3!! for engaging the adjacent striking pieces, and is also provided with teeth for engagement by a pinion 3| on the hollow spindle 32 which at its outer end is provided with a hand actuating disc 33. On rotating this disc in the appropriate direction the rod 28 is moved upwards against the action of the spring 3 1 and thereby caused to move the adjacent striking piece to the desired position. On releasing the disc 33 it is returned to its initial position by the action of the said spring on the rod and pinion. After any one of the striking pieces in this inner group has been so moved, the disc 53 is rotated by the hand lever c to the next position when the above described operation is repeated on the next striking piece, the process being continued until all the inner striking pieces have been set to the desired positions. For setting the striking pieces in the outer group, such as the upper one shown in Figure 5, I employ a rod 35 slidable in a fixed tubular guide 36. This rod is formed with teeth engaging a pinion 3? on the hollow shaft 33 which at its outer end is fitted with a hand operating disc 39. On rotating the disc 39 in the appropriate direc tion, the rod 35 is caused to lift the striking piece through the medium of the lateral projection against the action of a spring similar to the spring 34 above mentioned. On releasing the disc 33 it returns under the action of the spring on the said toothed rod 35.

To return the striking pieces to their initial positions I employ two different mechanisms. For effecting the independent return of any or all of the striking pieces, there is mounted adjacent to the tubular guides 29, 36 aforesaid, other tubular guides it, 42. The guide 4! contains a plunger #3 which is provided with 2. lateral projection 44 adapted to engage any one of the striking pieces in the inner group. A knob 35 on the outer end of the plunger 43 enzables this plunger to be moved downwards against the action of a spring (not shown) for returning the adjacent striking piece to its initial or any other position. On release of the knob the plungor is returned by the spring. By step-by-step movements of the disc 53 under the action of the hand lever c, and intermittent actuation of the plunger 33, any or all of the inner striking pieces can be returned individually. Like wise, the striking pieces in the outer group can 46 carried in the stationary tubular guide 52 provided with a lateral projection as for engaging the adjacent striking piece, the required return movement being given when the said plunger is depressed by the application of hand pressure to the knob is against the resistance of the spring 59.

For eifecting the rapid return of all the striking pieces, I mount on the hollow fixed spindle 5! a non-rotatable and slidable plate 52 on the front face of which are arranged suitably placed cams 53 adapted to engage and impart radial movements to the striking pieces. Normally the cams 53 lie clear of the striking pieces. To bring them into action, a central spindle 54 carried in the spindle 5| and having a knob 55 at its outer end,

is pulled outwards against the action of springs 56 (Figure 6) so as to bring the cams 53 into engagement with the striking pieces. The connection between the spindle 54 and the cam plate 52 is effected by a pin 51 passing through a slot 4'! in the fixed spindle 5|. LWhilst holding the knob55 in its outer position the disc I3 is rotated by the hand lever c in the backward or reverse direction and this causes all the striking pieces to be engaged by the cams and returned to their initial positions. On releasing the knob 55 the plate 52 is returned to its initial position by the spring 56; In this example any convenient provision is made for locking the ratchet mechanism to enable the hand lever c to give a reverse r0- tation to the disc I3.

Referring now to Figures 9-15, I employ in this modification, a horizontally slidable rectangular plate I22. This is supported at its upper and lower edges by rollers 58. The plate is formed with a number of vertical slots 59 behind each of which is formed a groove in which can slide a bar or bars carrying striking pieces and finger pieces. In the example illustrated, there is arranged in each group a long lower bar 68, and in some of them there is also arranged a short upper bar at. The lower bar is fitted with two suitably spaced striking pieces 62, and the upper one with a single striking piece 63. Also each bar is fitted with a finger piece 64, projecting through the slot 59 towards the front of the plate I22. By means of the finger pieces the bars can be raised or lowered to any desired position, and the bars are held in the positions to which they are moved by ball or like catches 51 pressed into engagement with serrations on the bars by springs 68. The front member it which carries the rollers 58 and forms the front of the enclosing casing H, is provided with apertures which afford access to the finger pieces, and these apertures are preferably enclosed by a glass window 12 carried by a frame 73 which is hinged at 14 on the member Hi and is held in its closed positionby a catch 15 controlled by a spring 16.

Behind the striking pieces there are mounted in the casing 1! a plurality of valve chests. In this example three such chests are shown and indicated by 11, T8, and 19. Each chest contains a' plurality of valves as which can be moved off their seatings against the action of springs as 89 by rods as 82 which project beyond the front of the chests. The purpose of these valves is to control the flow of pressure fluid to some part of the machine to be actuated. The valve rods are operated in the direction for opening the valves by levers 83. On each chest there are a plurality of these levers. In the example illustrated the chest 19 is fitted with five valve rods 82 and eight levers 83. As will be seen in Figure 13, each of the four bottom levers actuates its own valve rod. The next four levers are coupled together by a rivet 85, so that they then virtually form a single lever. These coupled levers operate on a single valve rod. A slightly different grouping of levers is used with the valve chest 18 as shown in Figure 12. Here six valve rods will be seen, and five of the levers 83 are coupled together and arranged to act on the same valve rod. The four lower levers and the uppermost lever each ct on a separate valve rod. The number of valves provided in each chest and the number and grouping of the levers is, however, varied to suit different requirements.

On each lever 83 is pivoted a pawl 85 controlled by a spring 86 and adapted to be actuated by a striking piece (62 or 63). The pawls are such that when the plate I22 moves towards the left (Figure 10) the striking pieces can impart valveopening movements to the levers 83. But when the plate E22 moves towards the right the pawls engaged by the striking pieces rock on their pivots and no movements are given to the levers.

Intermittent step-by-step movements are given to the plate I22 towards the left by a hand lever 87. This hand lever is secured to an arm 88 to whichis connected a controlling spring 89. The said arm is connected'by a link 90 to one end of an arm 9! which at the other end carries a pawl 93 engaging a ratchet 92, the pawl being provided with a controlling spring 94. Movement of the ratchet by the pawl is transmitted to the plate E22 by a spindle 97 carrying a pinion I05 engaging a rack H36 on the plate I22. The ratchet is held against reverse movement after each actuation of the lever 8! by a pawl 95 which is controlled by a spring 96. For disengaging the pawls 93 and 95 from the ratchet after the plate I22 has been moved to the desired extent by the hand lever 87, there is freely mounted on the spindle 9i carrying the ratchet 92 an arm 98, the outer end of which is adapted to engage the pawl 95 and press it away from the ratchet. The pawl 95 is also formed with a projection 99 which engages a peg Elli on the pawl 93, so that when the arm 98 moves the pawl 95 out of action the said pawl also moves the pawl 93 clear of the ratchet. Actuation of the arm 98 in the direction for releasing the pawls from the ratchet is effected by a peg IEH which can be inserted in any one of a number of holes I02 in the ratchet.

The insertion of the peg I0! in the appropriate vhole'in the ratchet 92 is eifected by a knob M8 which is rotatable on the upper end of the spindle 9?. The knob is also slidable on the spindle against the action of a spring I Hi. The periphery of the knob is provided with index numerals, and on the adjacent casing is mounted a pointer I23. Also the ratchet 92 is provided with a fixed peg I83. Supposing, for example, that the total sliding movement required to be givento the plate I22 by the hand lever 87 corresponds to six operative movements of the hand lever, the peg Iill will be set in such a position that at the seventh movement of the hand lever the arm will have reached the position at which it releases the pawls (see Figure 15). Meanwhile the peg H33 has been moving away from the arm. After the pawls have been released, a spring EM acting on the plate I22 will return the plate to its initial position in readiness for the next cycle of operations. When the plate approaches such position the peg I63 engages the arm QS and moves it clear of the pawls, allowing the latter to reengage the ratchet (Figure 14). The return movement of the plate I22 by the spring we is controlled by an air cushion device. This device comprises a cylinder Ill! formed or secured on the plate I22, and a plunger Hi8 one end of which slides in the cylinder. The other end of the plunger is arranged to pass through and is supported by the rack ltii. Under the action of a spring Idil the plunger is held against a stop I It on the casing. During movement of the plate I22 to the right, the air entrapped in the cylinder acts as a cushion, and the rate of leakage of air from the cylinder during the said movement of the plate can be regulated by an adjustable valve iii. In this example the plate I22 is also adapted to effect automatic stopping of the machine when the plate returns to its initial position, a striking piece II2 (Figure on the plate being adapted to lift through a rod H4 a valve 5 i3 which controls the admission of fluid to a clutch mechanism.

The apparatus shown in Figures 9-15 is intended to be mounted on the front of a machine such as a turret lathe adapted to perform in each cycle of operations on a work piece a variety of cutting actions such asturning, boring, screwthreading, facing and cutting-off. The different actions in the cycle require the spindle of the machine which rotates the work piece to be driven at different speeds and the cutting tools to be advanced at different feed rates. The variations are effected by variable speed gearing associated with the lathe headstock. Usually the variable speed gearing is controlled by a variety of hand levers which require to be actuated by the attendant in the proper sequence throughout each cycle of operations. When my invention is applied to such a machine, it is only necessary for the attendant to effect a succession of similar operations of the one hand lever 8?. Before the machine is brought into action it is first necessary for the attendant or supervisor to set the various striking pieces in the proper positions suited to the cycle of operations to be performed. Looking at Figure 9 it will be seen that there are three groups of striking pieces, and as already described these are associated with the three valve chests i1, 18, and I9. The first group at the left hand side of Figure 9 controls the various speeds of the headstock which rotates the work piece. rates at which the saddle carrying some of the cutting tools is moved relatively to the work piece. The third controls the movements of the turret carrying the other cutting tools. Each of the striking pieces in each group corresponds to a particular speed. Knowing the speeds to be used in the cycle for producing a particular work piece, the attendant or supervisor moves the striking pieces by lifting the appropriate finger pieces 86 into coincidence with the index numerals on the fixed plate 70 corresponding to the speeds to be used. Two vertical rows of these numerals are shown in Figure 9. In the example illustrated there are six bars 60 with striking pieces and finger pieces in each group. Also in the first and second groups there are six additional bars 58 with striking pieces and finger pieces, the purpose of which is to effect control of the reversing mechanism of the machine. It is not necessary to use all the striking pieces in a given cycle of operations. Assuming that in a given cycle, it is required to employ four different headstock spindle speeds, the finger pieces of the first four of the bars 8i? (starting from the left) in the first group would be raised to the positions corresponding to the speeds as indicated by the index numerals above-mentioned on the plate 10. Also one or more of the bars 6| are moved to the appropriate positions if reversal of the motion of the headstock spindle is required during the cycle. Moreover the first four bars in the second and third groups are moved to the desired positions and the knob l I8 is moved for placing the peg lfil in the appropriate hole in the ratchet 92. The apparatus is now ready for the cycle of operations to be carried out on a succession of work pieces. In each cycle it is only necessary for the attendant to operate the hand lever 81, by giving it successive movements whereby the plate 122 carrying the The next group controls the striking pieces is moved step-by-step towards the left. After the cycle has been completed, the plate I22 automatically returns to its initial position in readiness for the next cycle.

In each of the step-by-step movements the striking pieces engage the pawls on the levers 83, and by actuating the valves 89 cause the required changes in the speed of the machine controlled by the striking pieces. At any instant the particular speeds in operation are indicated by the particular finger pieces which at that instant are coincident with the slotted strip 69 mounted on the plate I0.

As the range of horizontal movement of the plate I22 is SllfilClEIll) to carry some of the finger pieces in the middle and the right hand groups beyond the apertures in the plate 19 through which those finger pieces are normally visible, and to bring them opposite the apertures corre sponding to the next group, it is advantageous to combine with the plate Iii a slidable shutter H6 which towards the end of the movement of the plate I22 is moved by the said plate I22 so as to cover a portion of the next adjacent aperture in the plate Ill. The shutter I I6 is provided with a projection II'I which engages a slot I2I in the plate I22. Towards the end of the movement of the plate I22 to the left one end of the slot I2I engages the projection Ill and advances the shutter IE6 with the plate I22. On the return movement of the plate I22 the other end of the slot engages the projection and brings the shutter back to its original position.

It will be understood that the amount of movement given to the plate I22 in each operation of the hand lever 81 is equal to the distances between the striking pieces. Also all or any num ber of the striking pieces in each group may be used in each cycle of operations. If less than the whole number (for example three or four) are used th peg IOI is placed in a suitable hole in the ratchet for the purpose of causing the pawls 93 and to be released and the plate I22 to be returned to its initial position by the spring I04 after the said number of striking pieces have performed their duty.

In the example illustrated each of the long bars BB is fitted with two strikingpieces 62, and as already mentioned some of the levers 83 are secured together so that they operate as a single lever. Looking at Figure 13, the upper striking piece is in position for engaging the lowest valve lever 83 in the group. If the bar 60 is raised by the finger piece through a unit distance the striking piece will then be able to engage the second lever. A further unit movement will bring the striking piece opposite the third lever, and a still further movement will bring it opposite. the fourth lever. The first four valve levers 83 in the group (starting from the bottom) operate valves which correspond to four different speeds of the mechanism controlled by the valves. When the bar 5i! is raised to the fifth position the upper striking piece engages the fifth valve lever and the lower striking piece engages the first valve lever. The simultaneous operation of these two valve levers controls another of the speeds of the machine. In the sixth position of the bar the lower striking piece engages the second lever, and the upper one engages the sixth lever, but this latter operates the same valve as the fifth lever. During subsequent movements of the bar the upper striking piece (though acting on different levers) continues to operate the same valve, whereas the lower striking piece operates different valves, for giving the required speeds. By" this construction eight different speeds can be obtained. The arrangement shown in Figure 12 is similar to that shown in Figure 13, excepting that the upper striking piece 62 on the long bar 60 can operate one of the levers 83 which are secured together, before the lower striking piece comes into operation.

It will be understood that the striking pieces in the two forms of my apparatus shown in Figures 1-8 may perform similar functions to those shown in Figures 9-15, and therefore further description is unnecessary concerning the mode of operation of the forms of apparatus shown in Figures 1-8. Further as already mentioned the striking pieces in any of the forms of my apparatus may be used to operate other parts than valve levers. They may, for example, be used to actuate electric switches, or they may act on levers which effect direct actions on the mechanisms to be controlled.

The invention is not limited to the examples above described as subordinate details of construction or arrangement may be varied to suit different requirements. Further I desire it to be understood that the term striking pieces includes any adjustable members which can serve to determine the different speeds at which the machine to be controlled shall operate in each cycle. Thus they may act as variable stops or abutments for limiting the movement of a speed controlling member, an example of which is shown in Figure 16. Referring to Figure 16, a disc I30 has mounted on it a plurality of radially adjustable striking abutments I3I. These can be set and secured individually at any desired radial position on the disc. The disc can be rotated in a step-by-step manner by ahand lever I32 acting through a pawl I33 and ratchet I34. The lever I32 is secured to one end of an arm I35 which is connected by a link I36 to a slidable plate I3'I. At one end this plate is formed with a cam portion I38 for operating a lever I39 which serves to impart longitudinal movement to a rod I40 passing through a cluster of gear wheels I4! and carrying key pieces I42 and- I43 whereby any desired gear wheel II can be secured to the driven shaft I44. The wheels I4I are driven by another cluster of-Wheels I45 on a shaft I46 which can be connected to a driving shaft I41 through a clutch I48. The lever I39 imparts sliding movements to the rod I40 through an intermediate slidable member I49 carried on a fixed guide I50. The slidable plate I3'I is also formed with a second cam I5I in the form of a slot with which is engaged one end of a lever I52 arranged to actuate the clutch I48. The plate I31 is moved towards the right by a spring I53.

In the position of the parts shown in Figure 16 the gear wheel I4IA is in action. To put this wheel out of action and bring another into action in accordance with a predetermined sequence, the hand lever I32 is moved to the right. The first part of this movement imparts no motion to the disc, as a certain amount of lost-motion is provided between the pawl and the ratchet, but the said motion causes the plate I31 to move to the left against the action of the spring I53. The first effect of the movement of the plate is to operate the lever I52 through the cam slot I5I and so release the clutch I48. Shortly afterwards the cam I38 engages the lever I39 and moves the rod I40to its maximum extent in the right-hand direction. After the lost motion between the pieces in the formof stops or ratchet and pawl has been taken up, further movement of the hand lever I32 causes the disc I38 to be moved in the direction for bringing the next striking piece opposite theend of the rod I it. During this motion the levers I 39 and I52 are maintained in the positions above-mentioned by the plate I31. On releasing the hand lever I32, the spring I53 causes the plate I 37 to move to the right and the hand lever to the left. The first eifect of this movement is to release the lever I39 and allow the rod I 40 to move to the left into contact with the newly-positioned striking piece, under the action of the spring I54, thus causing one of the keys I42, I43 to secure another gear wheel to the shaft I44. Later the cam lei returns the lever I52 and puts the clutch let in action. By suitably adjusting the striking piece IEI radially on the disc I30, intermittent rotational movements of the disc by the hand lever I 32 cause the appropriate gear wheels MI to be brought into action at the difierent stages in the cycle of the machine to be controlled.

Whilst in the foregoing description of various forms of my invention I have described means for controlling a sequence of speed changes, it will be understood that other functions may also be performed by the mechanisms actuated or controlled by the aforesaid striking pieces, such as the opening and closing of a work holding chuck, the feeding of bar material through the chuck, or any other like operations.

By this invention I am able greatly to facilitate the operation of the controlling elements of machines adapted to produce work pieces in a variety of difierent forms. Also the same apparatus is adapted to control a large variety of different work cycles, and when it is necessary to adapt the machine for the production of a work piece of different size or form, the necessary changes in the control apparatus are such as can readily be effected in an expeditious manner.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. for controllinr the operation cycle of a metal cutting or other machine having a plurality of control members which require actuation by the operator in a predetermined sequence, the said means comprising the combination of a movable operated member to which a succession of similar intermittent movements can be given by the operator independently otany normal motion of the machine itself, and striking pieces adjustably mounted on the said member so that they can be arranged to actuate the said control members of the machine in the proper sequence during the said intermittent movements of the hand operated member, substantially as described.

2. In means as and for claim 1, the combination of a movable member, striking pieces adjustably mounted on the said member so that they can be arranged to actuate the control members of the machine in the proper sequence during movement of the said movable member, a lever operable by the attendant, and a ratchet mechanism for imparting similar intermittent movements to the said movable member from the lever to bring the striking pieces into action, substantially as described.

3. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a rotary drum, striking pieces slidably adjustable on the drum so that they can be arranged to actuate the control members of the machine in the proper sequence durthe purpose claimed in ing movement of the said drum, an operating lever, and a ratchet mechanism for imparting similar intermittent movements to the drum from the lever to bring the striking pieces into action, substantially as described.

4. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a vertical drum formed with longitudinal slots, striking pieces slidably adjustable in said slots, an operating lever, a ratchet mechanism for imparting movements to the drum from the lever, tapered ratchet bars for securing the striking pieces and slidable in tapered slots in the drum, pawls on the striking pieces for engaging the ratchet bars, a slidable member to which the bars are attached, springs acting on the said member for holding the bars in their operative positions, and manually operable means acting on the said member for sliding the bars against the springs to a position in which the bars release the pawls, the striking pieces being returnable to their initial position by gravity, substantially as described.

5. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a vertical drum formed with longitudinal slots, striking pieces slidably adjustable in said slots, an operating lever, a ratchet mechanism for imparting movements to the drum from the lever, tapered ratchet bars for securing the striking pieces and slidable in tapered slots in the drum, pawls on the striking pieces for engaging the ratchet bars, a slidable member to which the bars are attached, springs acting on the said member for holding the bars in their operative positions, manually operable means acting on the said member for sliding the bars against the springs to a position in which the bars release the pawls, the striking pieces being returnable to their initial position by gravity, and an indicating device combined with each striking piece and comprising a flexible strip bearing index marks and attached at one end to the striking piece, a weight attached to the other end of the strip, a pulley for supporting the strip, and a cover piece through an aperture in which the index marks on the strip are individually visible, substantially as described.

6. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a rotary drum, striking pieces slidably adjustable on the drum, an

operating lever, a ratchet mechanism for imparting movements to the drum from the lever, and a setting device for the striking pieces, the said device comprising a slidable bar adapted to engage the striking pieces individually, a rack and pinion for actuating the bar, and a rotatable hand operated member for actuating the pinion, substantially as described.

'7. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a rotary disc, striking pieces adjustably slidable in radial directions on the disc, an operating lever, and ratchet mechanism for imparting movements to the disc from the lever, substantially as described.

8. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination with a rotary disc having radial slots, of striking pieces adjustably slidable in the slots, an operating lever, ratchet mechanism for imparting movements to the disc from the lever, and ratchet-like means for retaining the striking pieces in the desired positions, substantially as described.

9. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a rotary disc, striking pieces adjustably slidable in radial directions on the disc, an operating lever, ratchet mechanism for imparting movements to the disc from the lever, and setting means for moving the striking pieces relatively to the disc, said setting means comprising a slidable bar having a projection adapted to engage the striking pieces individually, and a rack and pinion mechanism for actuating the bar, substantially as described.

10. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a rotary disc, striking pieces adjustably slidable in radial directions on the disc, an operating lever, ratchet mechanism for imparting movements to the disc from the lever, a hollow spindle carrying the disc, an inner spindle mounted Within the said hollow spindle, a pinion on the inner spindle, a rack engaged by the pinion, and a rod extending from the rack for moving the striking pieces in one direction relatively to the disc, and a separate hand operated rod for moving the striking pieces in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

11. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a rotary disc, striking pieces adjustably slidable in radial directions on the disc, a hollow spindle carrying the disc, a pair of inner spindles arranged coaxially with the said hollow spindle, a pinion on each of the inner spindles, a pair of racks engaging the pinions, rods extending from the racks for moving the striking pieces relatively to the disc in one direction, separate hand operated rods for moving the striking pieces in the opposite direction, a ratchet mechanism on the disc spindle, and a hand lever for actuating the disc through the ratchet mechanism, substantially as described.

12. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a slidable plate, a

plurality of striking pieces adjustably slidable on the plate in a direction transversely to the direction of movement of the plate, and means for imparting intermittent movements to the plate, substantially as described.

13. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a slidable plate, a plurality of striking pieces adjustably slidable on the plate in a direction transversely to the direction of movement of the plate, an operating lever and ratchet mechanism for imparting intermittent movements to the plate from the said lever, substantially as described.

14. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a slidable plate, a plurality of striking pieces adjustably slidable on the plate in a direction transversely to the direction of movement of the plate, a rack and pinion mechanism for moving the plate in one direction, a ratchet and pawl mechanism for actuating the pinion, an operating lever for actuating the ratchet and pawl mechanism, means for putting the ratchet and pawl mechanism out of action at the end of the movement of the plate, and means for returning the plate to its initial position, substantially as described.

15. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a slidable plate, a plurality of striking pieces adjustably slidable on the plate in a direction transversely to the direction of movement of the plate, means for imparting intermittent movements to the plate, and ratchet-like means for securing the striking pieces in the desired positions, substantially as described.

16. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a slidable plate, a plurality of striking pieces adjustably slidable on the plate in a direction transversely to the direction of movement of the plate, a rack and pinion mechanism for moving the plate in one direction, mechanism comprising a ratchet and an operating pawl for actuating the pinion, an operating. lever for actuating the ratchet and pawl mechanism, 'a retaining pawl for engaging the ratchet, an arm adapted to disengage the operating pawl and the retaining pawl from the ratchet at the end of the movement of the plate, an adjustable peg adapted to occupy any one of a plurality of positions on the ratchet for actuating the arm in the direction for disengaging the pawls, a knob for moving the peg to any desired position, a peg fixed on the ratchet for returning the arm, and means for returning the plate to its initial position, substantially as described.

17. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a slidable plate, a plurality of striking pieces adjustably slidable on the plate in a direction transversely to the direction of movement of the plate, a rack and pinion mechanism for moving the plate in one direction, a ratchet and pawl mechanism for actuating the pinion, an operating lever for actuating the ratchet and pawl mechanism, means for putting the ratchet and pawl mechanism out of action at the end of the movement of the plate, a spring for returning the plate to its initial position after release of the pawls, and a cushioning device for controlling the return movement, substantially as described.

18. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a slidable gear controlling member, a rotary disc, a plurality of striking pieces radially adjustable on the disc and adapted to hold the said member in any of a plurality of different positions, means for actuating the disc, means operated by the disc-actuating means for moving the said controlling member away from the striking pieces, prior to rotational movement of the disc, and separate means for moving the said controlling member towards the operative striking piece, substantially as described.

19. In means as and for the purpose claimed in claim 1, the combination of a plurality of gear wheels, a shaft carrying the gear wheels, a key for engaging the said wheels individually to the shaft, a slidable member for actuating the key, a rotatable disc, a plurality of radially adjustable striking pieces on the disc adapted to hold the said slidable member in any of a plurality of different positions, a hand lever, a ratchet and pawl mechanism for connecting the hand lever to the disc, a clutch associated with the said gear wheels, a slidable cam connected to the hand lever and adapted to release the said clutch and to move the said slidable member away from the striking pieces prior to rotational movement of the disc, and separate means acting on the cam for moving the slidable member towards the striking pieces and for re-engaging the clutch, substantially as described.

ACEL CHARLES WICKMAN. 

